Mowbray wants Coventry to ‘learn quickly’

(Picture: Action Images)

Coventry boss Tony Mowbray has challenged his young and inexperienced Coventry City team to ‘learn quickly’ after their latest league defeat.

The Sky Blues, who are the lowest scoring team in League One, are still hunting for their first win of the season, and on Saturday lost 2-1 at Gillingham.

Consequently, they are now bottom of the division, with just five points, meaning it is officially the worst start the Midlands club has made since 1919 – and Mowbray is desperate for his team to show more.

He told the Coventry Observer: “I would say the main problem is the consistencies of a fairly young team, who need to learn quickly.“It is a steep learning curve but one they need to rise to and help us improve our recent results.

“We need some of those to show experience beyond their years and prove why they’re at this level and that they’re good enough to show that consistency week in, week out.”

Coventry had started well at Priestfield, with Kyel Reid breaking the deadlock with a brilliant half-volley, but Gillingham responded with goals of their own from Max Ehmer and Billy Knott.

It was probably harsh on Mowbray’s men, with Reid going close late on and Marvin Sordell denied by a smart save from Gills ‘keeper Stuart Nelson, but it’s just the way things are going at the moment for the Sky Blues.

Mowbray said: “The front three were okay, that’s why the main focus post-match is the defence. In previous week’s it seems to have been the other way around but on Saturday it was a role-reversal.

“It was epitomised by their first goal. It is such a simple, yet effective, idea that we struggled to cope with. A long-throw into our box and we didn’t have anybody taking charge to win their header and clear the ball.

“Perhaps it’s more frustrating because I built a career in that position so expect a higher standard than what was shown today. It is frustrating because defensively we have been okay this season so far.”